BEAR APPLIANCE(SZ:002959) Xin Lang Zheng Quan·2025-04-25 02:30Core Viewpoint - The once-popular small home appliance brand, Bear Electric, is now facing multiple challenges as the flow economy declines, leading to stagnant revenue growth and significant profit reduction [1][2]. Financial Performance - In 2024, Bear Electric reported revenue of 4.758 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth rate of only 0.98%, a stark contrast to previous double-digit growth [1][2]. - The net profit attributable to shareholders was 288 million yuan, representing a decline of over 35.37% compared to the previous year, marking the largest drop since the company's IPO [2][6]. Market Trends - The overall retail sales of kitchen small appliances in 2024 reached 60.9 billion yuan, showing a year-on-year decrease of 0.8%, indicating a broader industry slowdown [1]. - Bear Electric's core kitchen appliance business generated revenue of 3.276 billion yuan in 2024, down 10.10% from 3.644 billion yuan the previous year, reducing its revenue contribution from 77.33% to 68.84% [4]. Inventory and Production Issues - In 2024, Bear Electric's product sales volume was 45.9804 million units, a modest increase of 2.63%, while production volume surged to 50.5757 million units, up 16.84%, leading to a significant inventory increase [5]. - The inventory level reached a record high of 924 million yuan, with inventory turnover days rising from 76.58 days in 2023 to 90.27 days in 2024, indicating potential overstock risks [5]. Strategic Diversification - Bear Electric has diversified its product offerings beyond kitchen appliances to include lifestyle, personal care, and maternal and infant appliances, yet the kitchen segment remains the primary revenue driver [4]. - Despite growth in other product categories, such as lifestyle appliances (up 15.33%) and maternal and infant appliances (up 31.83%), their revenue contributions are still relatively small and dependent on outsourcing [4]. Cost Management and Profitability - The company has faced rising expenses, with sales expenses increasing from 730 million yuan in 2022 to 864 million yuan in 2024, alongside management and R&D costs [6]. - The imbalance in marketing and R&D spending reflects a "heavy marketing, light R&D" approach, which may hinder long-term sustainability [6]. Investor Sentiment - Bear Electric's stock price has seen a significant decline, dropping from a peak of 165 yuan per share in mid-2020 to below 50 yuan at the beginning of 2024, reaching a new low of 35 yuan in September 2024 [7].